Systems, methods, and computer programs for providing row tamper protection in a multi-bank memory cell array. One method comprises monitoring row activation activity for each of a plurality of banks in a multi-bank memory cell array. In response to monitoring the row activation activity, a row activation counter table is stored in a memory. The row activation counter table comprises a plurality of row address entries, each row address entry having a corresponding row activation counter. In response to detecting one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded a threshold indicating suspicious row tampering, the corresponding row address entry associated with the row activation counter exceeding the threshold is determined. A refresh operation is performed on one or more rows adjacent to the row address having the row activation counter exceeding the threshold.
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1. A method for providing row tamper protection in a multi-bank memory cell array, the method comprising: monitoring row activation activity for each of a plurality of banks in a multi-bank memory cell array; in response to monitoring the row activation activity, storing a row activation counter table comprising a plurality of row address entries, each row address entry having a corresponding row activation counter; and in response to detecting one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded a threshold indicating suspicious row tampering: determining the corresponding row address entry associated with the row activation counter exceeding the threshold; and performing a refresh operation on one or more rows adjacent to the row address having the row activation counter exceeding the threshold.
A method to protect against row hammering in a multi-bank memory. The method monitors how often each row in the memory is activated. A table is stored that keeps track of each row address and a counter representing its activation count. If any row's activation counter exceeds a defined threshold (indicating potential row hammering), the method identifies that row address and performs a refresh operation on the rows adjacent to that address. This refresh helps prevent data corruption caused by excessive row activation.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a new row activation associated with one of the plurality of row address entries; and incrementing the corresponding row activation counter stored in the row activation counter table.
The row tamper protection method also includes determining when a new row activation occurs for one of the tracked row addresses. When a row is activated, the corresponding row activation counter in the stored table is incremented. This incrementing ensures that the activation counts are updated to reflect the memory access patterns.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: after performing the refresh operation, resetting the row activation counters associated with the one or more adjacent rows.
In the row tamper protection method, after refreshing the one or more rows adjacent to a potentially hammered row, the activation counters associated with those adjacent rows are reset. This prevents the refresh operation from falsely triggering further alerts due to the refresh itself increasing the activation counts of the adjacent rows.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: after performing the refresh operation, clearing the row address entries in the row activation counter table corresponding to the one or more adjacent rows.
After performing the refresh operation on adjacent rows, the row address entries in the activation counter table corresponding to the refreshed adjacent rows are cleared. This removes the potentially compromised row address and its counter from the table.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting the one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded the threshold occurs comprising: receiving a new row activation request.
The detection of a row activation counter exceeding the threshold, indicating suspicious row tampering, happens when a new row activation request is received. Each time a new request to activate a row is received, the activation counter is checked against the threshold.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the new row activation request is received during a read or write request.
The new row activation request that triggers the row hammering check (detection of a row activation counter exceeding the threshold) is received during a standard memory operation, such as a read or write request. This ensures that the row hammering protection is active during normal memory access.
7. A system for providing row tamper protection in a multi-bank memory cell array, the system comprising: means for monitoring row activation activity for each of a plurality of banks in a multi-bank memory cell array; means for storing a row activation counter table in response to monitoring the row activation activity, the row activation counter comprising a plurality of row address entries, each row address entry having a corresponding row activation counter; and means for detecting one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded a threshold indicating suspicious row tampering; means for determining the corresponding row address entry associated with the row activation counter exceeding the threshold; and means for performing a refresh operation on one or more rows adjacent to the row address having the row activation counter exceeding the threshold.
A system that protects against row hammering in a multi-bank memory. It includes a way to monitor how often each row in the memory is activated. A way to store a table that tracks each row address and its activation count is also included. Additionally, it has a mechanism for detecting when a row's activation count exceeds a threshold (indicating potential row hammering), a way to identify the row address, and a mechanism for refreshing the rows adjacent to that row address.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising: means for determining a new row activation associated with one of the plurality of row address entries; and means for incrementing the corresponding row activation counter stored in the row activation counter table.
The row tamper protection system also includes a way to determine when a new row activation occurs for one of the tracked row addresses. When a row is activated, the system includes a way to increment the corresponding row activation counter in the stored table.
9. The system of claim 7 , further comprising: means for resetting the row activation counters associated with the one or more adjacent rows after performing the refresh operation.
The row tamper protection system also includes a way to reset the activation counters associated with adjacent rows after they have been refreshed due to a potential row hammering event.
10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising: means for clearing the row address entries in the row activation counter table corresponding to the one or more adjacent rows after performing the refresh operation.
The row tamper protection system also includes a way to clear the row address entries in the activation counter table corresponding to the adjacent rows after the refresh operation has been performed on them.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the means for detecting the one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded the threshold occurs comprises: means for receiving a new row activation request.
The row tamper protection system detects that a row activation counter exceeds the threshold (indicating suspicious row tampering) by including a way to receive a new row activation request.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the new row activation request is received during a read or write request.
The row tamper protection system receives the new row activation request, which is used for row hammering detection, during a normal memory operation, such as a read or write request.
13. A computer program embodied in a memory and executable by a processor for implementing a method for providing row tamper protection in a multi-bank memory cell array, the method comprising monitoring row activation activity for each of a plurality of banks in a multi-bank memory cell array; in response to monitoring the row activation activity, storing a row activation counter table comprising a plurality of row address entries, each row address entry having a corresponding row activation counter; and in response to detecting one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded a threshold indicating suspicious row tampering: determining the corresponding row address entry associated with the row activation counter exceeding the threshold; and performing a refresh operation on one or more rows adjacent to the row address having the row activation counter exceeding the threshold.
A computer program stored in memory and executed by a processor to protect against row hammering in a multi-bank memory. The program monitors row activation, stores a table that tracks each row address and its activation count. If a row's activation counter exceeds a threshold, the program identifies that row and refreshes adjacent rows.
14. The computer program of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises: determining a new row activation associated with one of the plurality of row address entries; and incrementing the corresponding row activation counter stored in the row activation counter table.
The computer program also determines when a new row activation occurs and increments the activation counter for that row in the stored table. This incrementing action is part of the method for row tamper protection.
15. The computer program of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises: after performing the refresh operation, resetting the row activation counters associated with the one or more adjacent rows.
After refreshing adjacent rows, the computer program resets the activation counters associated with those refreshed rows. This prevents subsequent false alerts related to the refresh activity itself.
16. The computer program of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises: after performing the refresh operation, clearing the row address entries in the row activation counter table corresponding to the one or more adjacent rows.
After refreshing adjacent rows, the computer program clears the row address entries in the activation counter table that correspond to those refreshed rows.
17. The computer program of claim 13 , wherein the detecting the one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded the threshold occurs comprises: receiving a new row activation request.
The computer program detects a row activation counter exceeding the threshold when it receives a new row activation request. The new request triggers a check against the stored threshold value.
18. The computer program of claim 17 , wherein the new row activation request is received during a read or write request.
The computer program receives the new row activation request, which triggers the threshold check for row hammering detection, during a standard memory read or write operation.
19. A system for providing row tamper protection in a multi-bank memory cell array, the system comprising: a multi-bank memory cell array; and a row access monitor configured to monitor row activation activity for each of a plurality of banks in the multi-bank memory cell array, the row access monitor comprising logic configured to: store a row activation counter table comprising a plurality of row address entries, each row address entry having a corresponding row activation counter; and detect one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded a threshold indicating suspicious row tampering: determine the corresponding row address entry associated with the row activation counter exceeding the threshold; and perform a refresh operation on one or more rows adjacent to the row address having the row activation counter exceeding the threshold.
A memory system that protects against row hammering, comprising a multi-bank memory and a row access monitor. The monitor tracks row activation for each bank, stores a table of row addresses and activation counts, detects when a count exceeds a threshold, identifies the row, and refreshes adjacent rows.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the row access monitor further comprises logic configured to: determine a new row activation associated with one of the plurality of row address entries; and increment the corresponding row activation counter stored in the row activation counter table.
The row access monitor in the row tamper protection system also determines when a new row activation occurs and increments the corresponding row activation counter in the stored table.
21. The system of claim 19 , wherein the row access monitor further comprises logic configured to: reset the row activation counters associated with the one or more adjacent rows after performing the refresh operation.
The row access monitor also resets the activation counters associated with the one or more adjacent rows after performing the refresh operation, as part of the row tamper protection system.
22. The system of claim 19 , wherein the row access monitor further comprises logic configured to: clear the row address entries in the row activation counter table corresponding to the one or more adjacent rows after performing the refresh operation.
The row access monitor also clears the row address entries in the activation counter table corresponding to the one or more adjacent rows after performing the refresh operation as part of the row tamper protection system.
23. The system of claim 19 , wherein the logic configured to detect the one of the plurality of row activation counters has exceeded the threshold occurs comprises logic configured to: receive a new row activation request.
The row access monitor detects a row activation counter exceeding the threshold by receiving a new row activation request. This mechanism is how the system identifies potential row hammering.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the new row activation request is received during a read or write request.
The row access monitor receives the new row activation request, used for row hammering detection, during a memory operation like a read or write request.
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January 6, 2017
October 3, 2017
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